Do I Need Rehab_ Can I Do It On My Own_

Clinically Reviewed by Linda Whiteside, LPCC

Medically Reviewed by: Dr. Ryan Peterson, MD

Do I Need Rehab, Can I Do It On My Own?

Table of Contents

When most people consider rehab, the thought, ‘Do I need rehab, or can I do it on my own?’ often crosses their minds. This question is difficult to answer, as it depends on the person’s situation and level of addiction. However, even those with severe levels of addiction can fail to recognize the importance of a good rehab program. Understanding how to get sober on your own is important, and when it might be better to seek professional help.

What is Rehab for Drug Addiction?

Rehab programs are a specific addiction treatments designed to allow people struggling with drug abuse to receive the intensive care they need. From developing healthy coping skills to understanding relapse prevention, these programs offer various services that can benefit addicts in many ways. Rehab can also provide the necessary structure and support to help individuals in recovery stay on the right track.

Goals of Rehab

Some of the goals of rehab are:

  • To understand the psychological and physical effects of addiction.

  • To help individuals become more aware of their triggers and how to avoid them.

  • To create a supportive environment for recovery that doesn’t involve alcohol or drugs.

  • To guide dealing with cravings, managing stress, and developing healthier habits.

  • To help individuals build self-esteem and learn how to cope with difficult emotions.

Is it Necessary for Everyone?

Whether or not to enter rehab ultimately lies with the individual. However, it’s important to remember that drug and alcohol abuse is a persistent illness that requires ongoing treatment to maintain long-term recovery. The good news is that drug rehab isn’t just necessary for those with severe addictions—it can also benefit people in the early stages of their addiction. It also offers good mental health services administration and mutual support groups to make addiction treatment more effective. You can also escape the stigma and myths about rehab, and get a more focused picture of how to get sober in the long run.

Is it Necessary for Everyone_

Rehab at a Treatment Facility vs. at Home

When it comes to substance abuse treatment, the most effective form of treatment can depend on various factors, such as the type of addiction and each individual’s personal preferences. Drug rehab facilities provide an environment that encourages individuals to focus solely on their recovery while also providing them with a support system and professional medical care. Trying to recover from drug addiction at home can be more challenging, as the individual must battle their addiction without the help of medical professionals or an established support network.

Many studies compare inpatient and outpatient rehab and find that there’s no hard and fast rule but a combination of practices that help individuals. To determine which treatment is best for each individual, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of both. So, let’s look at the breakdown:

Pros of Rehab at a Treatment Facility

  • Professional medical care and personalized treatment plans

  • 24/7 access to medical professionals who specialize in addiction recovery

  • A safe and drug-free environment allows the individual to focus solely on their recovery journey

  • An established support system with counselors, therapists, and peers

  • Increased privacy and confidentiality

Pros of Rehab at Home

  • A familiar environment with access to family members and friends

  • Flexible treatment schedule specialized to the individual’s lifestyle

  • Cost savings, as many rehab facilities can be expensive

  • Ability to apply recovery principles immediately in day-to-day life

But, the cons for rehab at home exceed those for rehab at a facility. This is because no matter what happens, you still need professional supervision and medical care to maintain your recovery.

Cons of Rehab at Home

  • Lack of professional medical supervision or support system

  • Possibility of relapse when not monitored by professionals

  • An individual may be more likely to give up on their recovery journey if they don’t have proper motivation or responsibility from a support system

This is just one of the aspects of residential vs. outpatient rehab programs. You can consult a mental health professional to learn more about which suits you.

Cons of Rehab at Home

Why Can’t I Get Sober on My Own?

The truth is that addiction is a powerful disease, and it can be tough to overcome without professional help. Whether it be drug or alcohol misuse, finding the right treatment program is essential. Even with strong willpower and determination, you may struggle with addiction’s physical and psychological aspects. Drug rehab centers are designed to provide individuals with an environment to focus on their recovery without the pressures of everyday life or drug access.

Drug rehab centers also offer individualized treatment plans tailored to each person’s particular needs. These plans may include counseling, group therapy sessions, medication-assisted treatments such as Vivitrol or Suboxone, or a combination of these options. All of these treatments can be effective in helping individuals achieve sobriety and stay sober for the long term.

Drug rehab centers also provide the support, guidance, and education necessary to help people overcome their addictions. If you’re struggling with an addiction, seeking a professional who understands exactly what you’re going through and can provide personalized advice on moving forward can be helpful.

It’s important to remember that addiction is a complex disease that requires professional help to overcome it. Drug rehab centers provide a very important resource for individuals looking to get sober and stay sober, don’t hesitate to reach out if you need help. With the right support and treatment, you can find the courage to fight your addiction and regain control of your life.

The Dangers of Detoxing on Your Own

Choosing for drug rehab is the safest and most effective way to overcome drug addiction. If you ask any addiction treatment professional, they would tell you detoxing alone can be dangerous, and it’s rarely successful.

When in detox mode, a person is more likely to experience severe withdrawal symptoms – some of which can be life-threatening. That’s why many users turn to drugs to dull the pain of withdrawal.

Some other dangers of detoxing on your own are:

  • Risk of relapse: Detoxing on your own is more likely to lead to relapse, especially if the person in has a long history of drug use.

  • Unmonitored withdrawal symptoms: When detoxing alone, no one is around to monitor the severity of withdrawal symptoms and provide professional help if needed.

  • Threat to others around you: Detoxing on your own can be a major threat to those around you. Without medical supervision, users may act erratically or unpredictably and even endanger themselves and others.

  • Lack of support: Detoxing on your own can be extremely lonely , and users are unlikely to receive the emotional or moral support they need during this difficult time.

  • Unmanaged triggers: Detoxing on your own can be difficult, and users may struggle to manage triggers or cravings without professional help.

Drug rehab centers offer a safe environment with medical supervision to ensure the detox process is painless and successful. Professional counselors are available during detox to support and help manage withdrawal symptoms.

The staff at drug rehab centers are also available to provide the user with emotional and moral support. They can offer helpful advice, proper guidance, and practical solutions to help the user overcome their addiction and stay sober for a long time.

The Dangers of Detoxing on Your Own

Drugs That Need Medical Detox

Another issue is that some drugs require a medical detox, which is difficult at home. The drugs that need a medical detox include:

  • Alcohol

  • Opioids such as heroin, morphine, and codeine

  • Benzodiazepines such as Valium and Xanax

  • Stimulants like cocaine, ecstasy, and methamphetamine

  • Synthetic opioids like fentanyl and carfentanil.

These drugs require medical detox because they can cause serious withdrawal symptoms, such as seizures, severe anxiety, breathing issues, and hallucinations. Medical staff must monitor the patient closely to ensure a safe and successful detox process.

Types of Rehab Facilities

When searching for a rehab center, you’ll find several types. The most common types of rehab facilities include:

  • Inpatient Rehab Centers: These are the more traditional centers where users live at the facility for an extended period (usually 30, 60, or 90 days) and receive intensive treatment.

  • Outpatient Rehab Centers: This center is for individuals undergoing detox and needing ongoing counseling and support services.

  • Holistic Rehab Centers: These rehab centers offer a holistic approach to recovery, including alternative therapies such as yoga, meditation, massage therapy, and acupuncture into their treatment plans.

  • Long-Term Rehab Centers: These centers offer extended treatment programs for individuals who need more time to recover from their addiction. Some of these programs can last up to a year.

No matter which type of rehab facility you choose, the goal is always the same – to help users overcome their addiction and lead successful lives without drugs or alcohol.

Types of Rehab Facilities

Benefits of Drug Rehab at a Facility

By choosing for professional drug rehab at a facility, users can receive the care and support they need to succeed in their recovery. Some of the benefits include:

  • Medical supervision: Drug rehab centers provide medical staff trained to monitor withdrawal symptoms and ensure that detox goes smoothly.

  • Professional counseling: Experienced counselors can provide one-on-one and group therapy sessions during the program.

  • Holistic therapies: Many rehab centers also offer holistic treatments such as yoga, meditation, art therapy, and acupuncture to help users recover from their addiction.

  • Aftercare programs: Most rehab centers offer aftercare programs to help users stay clean and sober after they leave the facility. These programs can include follow-up counseling, support groups, and other resources to help users stay on track with their recovery.

Why You Need Support on Your Rehab Journey

Rehab isn’t an easy process, and it will require a lot of commitment from both you and your loved ones if you are to succeed. For this reason, you must take the time to get the support network in place before starting your journey into sobriety.

Your loved ones can be very important sources of emotional support throughout your recovery, and having them there to remind you of the positive aspects of life can help keep you motivated.

You may also wish to consider professional support such as counselors or therapists. These professionals have been trained to help individuals struggling with addiction, and they can provide significant guidance on your journey toward becoming sober.

When seeking professional support, make sure that you find someone specializing in addiction and recovery, as this will ensure that your treatment is comprehensive and tailored to your needs.

It’s also important that you take the time to learn more about addiction and recovery. Reading books on the subject or attending support groups for people with similar addictions can be incredibly beneficial in helping you to understand the causes of your addiction and how best to manage it.

Why You Need Support on Your Rehab Journey

Finding Rehab Centers Near You

Finding a rehab center that fits their needs and budget is important for people suffering from addiction. Fortunately, we at NuView Treatment Center can help you with such services. With our fully-certified and experienced staff, we offer a range of treatment options customized to the individual’s goals and needs. Our rehab centers are affordable and can provide the resources to control your addiction. If you seek addiction treatment, contact us at (323) 307 – 7997 or at info@nuviewtreatment.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

Drug addiction is usually caused by a combination of psychological, environmental, and genetic factors. Common causes include stress, anxiety, depression, peer pressure, trauma, traumatic experiences in early life such as abuse or abandonment, family history of substance abuse disorder, or mental health issues. Additionally, certain substances create a physical dependence, making it difficult to stop using even if one desires to do so.

Treatment for drug addiction typically includes a combination of therapy and medication-assisted treatment (MAT). This approach may involve individual or group counseling, family therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, addiction education, life skills classes, and support groups. Medication such as Methadone or Suboxone may be prescribed in conjunction with counseling to help manage cravings and withdrawal symptoms.

While there is no “cure” for drug addiction, it's a treatable condition. Many individuals with substance use disorder can achieve long-term recovery with proper treatment and support. Recovery is an ongoing process requiring commitment and dedication to lifestyle changes to maintain long-term sobriety.

When searching for a treatment center, it is important to research all available options. Factors to consider include the treatment program’s philosophy, the credentials of its staff, and the offered services. Additionally, ensuring that the center is accredited and has access to qualified medical professionals is important. Lastly, make sure to ask questions related to aftercare programs and relapse prevention plans before admission.

Relapse is common in recovery and should not be seen as a failure. If you experience a relapse, it's important to reach out for help and get back on track with your treatment plan. It's also helpful to talk to an addiction counselor or therapist to identify triggers and address any underlying issues that may have contributed to the relapse.

Detoxing from drugs can be a dangerous and potentially life-threatening process. When attempting detox without medical assistance, individuals may experience severe withdrawal symptoms, including seizures, hallucinations, extreme dehydration, or other physical issues. For this reason, seeking medical help when trying to detox from drugs is important to ensure safety and minimize potential complications.

To remain sober long-term, it's important to adopt healthy habits and lifestyle changes. This may include eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, avoiding triggers such as people or places associated with drug use, developing positive coping mechanisms such as hobbies, and maintaining strong social support networks. Participating in ongoing counseling and therapy can also be a key component to long-term sobriety.

Post-Acute Withdrawal Syndrome (PAWS) is a condition that may occur after an individual has completed detoxification from drugs or alcohol. Symptoms such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and fatigue can last for weeks or months after quitting and require professional care. Treatment for PAWS typically includes medication management, cognitive behavioral therapy, relapse prevention planning, and supportive therapies such as yoga or acupuncture.

  1. McGinty, E. E., & Daumit, G. L. (2020). Integrating Mental Health and Addiction Treatment Into General Medical Care: The Role of Policy. Psychiatric services (Washington, D.C.), 71(11), 1163–1169. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.202000183

  2. Institute of Medicine (US) Committee for the Substance Abuse Coverage Study; Gerstein DR, Harwood HJ, editors. Treating Drug Problems: Volume 1: A Study of the Evolution, Effectiveness, and Financing of Public and Private Drug Treatment Systems. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1990. 5, The Effectiveness of Treatment. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK235506/

  3. Hayashida M. (1998). An overview of outpatient and inpatient detoxification. Alcohol health and research world, 22(1), 44–46.

  4. Pasha, A. K., Chowdhury, A., Sadiq, S., Fairbanks, J., & Sinha, S. (2020). Substance use disorders: diagnosis and management for hospitalists. Journal of community hospital internal medicine perspectives, 10(2), 117–126. https://doi.org/10.1080/20009666.2020.1742495

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Author
Written By: Linda Whiteside
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Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor who has been providing mental health services for over 10 years.

Medically reviewed by: Dr. Ryan Peterson
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Went to medical school at The George Washington University School of Medicine in Washington, D.C.

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